Forming a parental union

If you and your spouse are not in a parental union by operation of law, you may choose to form it by mutual agreement. You and your spouse must

• be de facto spouses,
• be parents of a common child,
• not be married, in a civil union or in a parental union together* or with another person, and
• have no prohibited family relationships.

* You must not have become the parents of a new common child since June 30, 2025.

You may form a parental union in one of two ways:

• by notarial act en minute, or
• by written contract signed in the presence of two witnesses.

You can use the parental union agreement toolto help you draft your agreement.

You must be a person of full age to voluntarily form a parental union.

To form a parental union, you must be able to give your free and informed consent. In other words, you agree to enter into a parental union with your spouse

• without having been coerced or threatened into doing so, and
• after understanding the effects of your commitment.

The parental union between you and your spouse is formed on the date you sign the agreement. The rules of parental union apply to you from then on.